NTDC boosts Nigeria's global tourism network

NTDC boosts Nigeria’s global tourism network

Nigeria’s standing in the world tourism arena just got better with our country’s acceptance as a destination member of the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP), a US-based tourism body, which boasts global impact.

NTDC Director General, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe OON FIMS FABE. 

Photo: NTDC

The ICTP is a grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global destinations committed to quality service and green growth. The body also offers communities and their stakeholders, a share of quality and green opportunities, such as tools, resources, access to funding as well as education and marketing support.

It is worth noting that Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malawi, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, South Korea, US, Zambia and Zimbabwe are among ICTP destination-member countries.

This development, which has been roundly hailed as a great leap in efforts to market and promote Nigeria as a preferred destination for business and leisure; marks another plus among the numerous exploits recorded by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), since Otunba Olusegun Runsewe assumed duty there as Director General in 2006.

Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President of the ICTP, hinted at this, when he described Nigeria as the biggest market on the continent. “Nigeria is the biggest market in Africa with significant ‘travelism’ promise”, the ICTP chief remarked. Speaking further, Prof Lipman added: “And, as a member of  ICTP, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation will have a great opportunity to build environmental management at the heart of its development strategies.

So, we look forward to working with them and Nigeria’s aviation and tourism community”.

While corroborating Lipman’s assertion, ICTP Chairman, Juergen T. Steinmetz; who described Nigeria’s membership as a laudable initiative by the NTDC, said; “We could not find a better representative to be our first destination member from Nigeria than the NTDC, which has a long history of commitment to and passion for the tourism industry in its country”.

In his response, NTDC helmsman Otunba Runsewe, who had earlier described the ICTP as “an enduring partner in our quest to celebrate Nigeria”; said the development is a worthy step at marketing and promoting the country.

Hear him: “We continue to explore international market platforms to promote Nigeria and in ICTP, we find an enduring partner in our quest to celebrate Nigeria, while adapting to the latest practices in tourism development. Nigeria’s membership of ICTP as a destination-member justifies all our efforts at marketing our country. It is a remarkable and heart-warming achievement”.

By MAURICE ARCHIBONG